WHY HEALTHY LIVING IN LAKELAND IS EASIER THAN YOU THINK

In a 2024 analysis of county health rankings data, the Lakeland-Winter Haven metro area ranked 35th out of 384 most obese metro areas in the United States. The national average obesity rate is 29%. Ours is 37.1%, making us the most obese metro area in the state of Florida.

We'll leave the search for complicated causes to the public health officials. The solution, as far as we're concerned, is simple: our city already has everything it needs to be one of the healthiest in the state. Like most things in life, when you've been around something long enough, you can lose sight of the beauty of what it has to offer. Our hope is that this reminds Lakelanders of what our city provides and the opportunity that's sitting right in front of us for healthy living in Lakeland and long-term vitality.

Healthy Living in Lakeland - Start Outside, Lakeland's Natural Advantage

As much as we are fitness nerds who love to geek out on all things training and nutrition, the best way to combat the obesity epidemic in our city isn't by pushing people into a gym. Based on research, the best place to start is simply getting people to experience more of their city and enjoy it by moving through it.

We'll spare you most of the fitness jargon, but there's one concept worth knowing. Almost a third of your daily energy expenditure comes from what we call NEAT, or non-exercise activity thermogenesis. That simply means that a significant portion of the energy you burn each day has nothing to do with traditional exercise. It's general movement, daily chores, walking, talking, living. And the good news is that Lakeland is arguably one of the best cities in the state for making that easy and enjoyable.

It probably comes as no surprise that Lakeland has 38 lakes, several of which sit right downtown. One of the simplest things you can do is combine a night out with a walk. Next time you're downtown for dinner, whether it's a date night or a hangout with friends, take a walk along one of the lakes afterward. Enjoy the beauty of this city and combine it with good company.

You could do the same with a family outing. Pack a picnic, head to Bonnet Springs Park, let the kids play, and take a walk together as a family. Bonnet Springs was named the number one city park in the United States by USA Today in 2025, and it sits on 168 acres right next to downtown. If you want something a little more off the beaten path, Circle B Bar Reserve offers nearly 1,300 acres and up to six miles of trails around Lake Hancock, all completely free.

The key here is what some people call habit stacking, combining movement with things you're already doing and people you already love spending time with. Whether it's a quiet solo walk or

a loud family adventure, there is no better recipe for better health than combining movement with community.

Eating Well in Lakeland Has Never Been Easier

Lakeland's food scene has grown tremendously over the last decade, and at this point there are dozens of options for eating a healthy, nutritious meal in this city. Some places do better than others at offering a menu that is almost exclusively health-oriented. Local eateries like SoFresh, Fresh Kitchen, The Juice Box, and Anthony's Health Hut are great examples of spots where most of the menu is filled with nutrient-dense options. But even the places not marketing themselves as health-focused have nutritious options on the menu or simple swaps you can make to keep things on track.

And for those who need something quick and affordable, we often forget that Lakeland is home to the greatest grocery store in the world. We tell our clients this all the time: Publix is fast food. There is no need to pull into a drive-through when your grocery store has wraps, deli meat, rotisserie chicken, whole grain bread, Greek yogurt, fresh fruit, and mixed nuts all ready to go. Next time you are running out the door and forgot to pack a meal, stop at your local Publix. It's where shopping is a pleasure.

Healthy living in Lakeland isn't a luxury anymore; it’s an option everyone has in their backyard.

The Rest is Up to Us

The point of all this is simple: the foundation for healthy living in Lakeland is already here. Lakeland already gives us everything we need to move more, eat better, and live healthier. From the lakes and parks that make it easy to increase your daily movement, to the growing number of restaurants and grocery options that make nutrient-dense eating accessible to everyone, the foundation is already here.

At the very top of the energy expenditure pyramid is exercise, and Lakeland has something for everyone in that department too. With over 25 gyms and fitness options across the city, there is no shortage of ways to get after it.

If you prefer the big commercial gym setting, you have LA Fitness, Planet Fitness, Crunch, and Anytime Fitness. If you want something more community-oriented, local spots like the YMCA are great options.

If personal training is more your speed, there are likely hundreds of qualified trainers across the city.

And if you are drawn to a smaller, boutique setting, Lakeland is home to incredible gyms like CrossFit OCI, CrossFit Breaking Barbells, Balance Culture, Burn Boot Camp, etc.

And of course, we have to mention ourselves, Vital Fitness. If you’re out exploring all these local spots and want to see what our community is all about, come say hi. We’re over on Drane Field Rd, and we’d love to meet you.

Lakelanders, everything we need to turn around our city's health is already here. Like my grandma always used to say, it's time for us to count our blessings.

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